American Indian and Alaska Native elders completed a survey to help determine how they get their health information and their preferences for receiving dementia-related health data. Over 100 elders from 15 states and 51 tribes responded to the International Association for Indigenous Aging’s (IA2) survey distributed at the National Indian Council on Aging’s (NICOA) American Indian Elders Conference last year.
The survey revealed that the top three ways people usually get health information was from the doctor’s office, online, newspaper or tribal newsletter. The best ways to provide information about dementia, Alzheimer’s, or brain health to elders and their families was community education through senior services, flyers and brochures, and the doctor’s office.
The survey also asked what makes it hard to access available resources. The answers were transportation and no formal diagnosis. Those surveyed expressed that they were the least satisfied with their ability to access respite care for caregivers, support groups with people from similar cultural backgrounds, and community events for people living with dementia.
Click here to read more about the survey results. The information gathered in this survey will be used to help create and promote health information resources for American Indian and Alaska Native elders.
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